cocker's manual. 109 



In the annual healthy moult, the fall of the feathers is occasioned by 

 the protrusion of new feathers from the skin. In the diseased state, 

 which we now consider, where the feathers fall no new ones come to 

 replace them, but the fowl is left bald and naked. A sort of rough- 

 ness appears also on the skin. 



"Symptoms. — A falling off in appetite, moping and inactivity, the 

 feathers starting and falling off until the naked skin appears. 



"Remedy. — This affection is supposed by some to be constitutional 

 rather than local. External remedies, therefore, may not always be 

 efficient. Stimulants applied externally may serve to assist the opera- 

 tion of what medicine may be given. Sulphur may be thus applied, 

 mixed with lard. Cayenne and sulphur, in the proportion of one 

 quarter each mixed with fresh butter, is good to be given internally, 

 and will act as a powerful alterative. The diet should be changed, 

 and cleanliness and fresh air are indispensable. 



EATING THEIR FEATHERS. 



On this subject the National Live Stock Journal for December, 1871, 

 has the following : "Eating each other's feathers is a habit fowls often 

 contract when confined in yards, but is not, perhaps, fully understood. 

 'It is a morbid appetite,' says a writer in the Cultivator, 'apparently 

 induced in the outset by the impatience of the fowls under confine- 

 ment.' It is well known that fowls are very fond of blood, and when 

 moulting the new feathers are generally called bloodshot ; that is, the 

 ends of the quills, when quite young, have a drop or so of blood, 

 which induces the fowl to pluck for the blood contained in them ; and 

 we have known it to be kept up till some individuals of the flock, who 

 were made special victims, were almost entirely denuded of their 

 feathers, and sometimes have even had their entrails torn out." 



INFLAMMATION, OR SWELLING OF THE EYES, 



Is said to be a specific inflammation of the lining of the membrane 

 of the air passages of the nose. The disease arises from exposure to 

 cold and damp weather or constitutional delicacy. There is no reg- 

 ular treatment prescribed for this disease that we are aware of, but dry 

 shelter, stimulating, peppered food and corn may be given with ad- 



